Havret takes narrow halfway advantage

U.S. Masters champion Phil Mickelson missed the cut at the Scottish Open on Friday by one stroke.

Frenchman Gregory Havret led the field at the halfway stage, having picked up five shots in the last six holes to card a seven-under-par 64 for the second round.

His total of nine under par puts him a shot ahead of Britons Ian Poulter, David Howell and Phillip Price.

Mickelson's lack-lustre 71 for a total of 143 left him at one over par, just shy of the qualifying mark for the final two rounds, and spoiling Price's wish to play alongside the man he unexpectedly beat in the 2002 Ryder Cup singles.

The American expected the worst after failing to take advantage of perfect conditions in the morning and was already making plans about continuing his British Open practice at Royal Troon when he finished the round.

"I played pretty well but just didn't score that well," said Mickelson.

"There were some good scores out there, today was a great day to score. I birdied a couple of holes early on but then it just seemed to falter a little."

The Augusta champion opted to practise at the British Open links on Wednesday in preference to warming up at Loch Lomond, and admitted he might have paid the price.

"I've been reviewing at night the notes from next week's course and not really worried about here too much, which may have contributed in some poor play," Mickelson said.

"My ambition now is to play the last two majors the best I can."

After enjoying his biggest year since turning professional, Mickelson might end the season early.

"I've gone at it pretty hard this year, and I haven't looked past the Ryder Cup (in September).

"If my desire is still there I may play a bunch more tournaments but if not, I may just call it a year," he said.

Leader Havret, the 2001 Italian Open champion showed his playing partner, course designer Tom Weiskopf, how to handle Loch Lomond, leaving the 1973 British Open champion 26 shots in arrears.

Included in a group eight two shots behind Havret are 1996 British Open champion Tom Lehman, Denmark's Thomas Bjorn Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka, playing his first tournament in Europe.

Overnight joint-leader Eduardo Romero slipped four shots off the lead with a 72. The Argentine is joined on that mark by a seemingly reinvigorated Colin Montgomerie.

Defending champion Ernie Els, irritated by an intrusive photographer several times, is a further stroke back with Argentine Angel Cabrera, who birdied six of the last seven holes for a 64.

Cabrera was pipped for a British Open place on the mini order of merit by Australian Richard Green last week.

Justin Rose will take a week off instead of playing the British Open after finishing on nine over.

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